Waterproofing a jacket? Why you need to take care of functional clothing

No matter whether it is a rain jacket, softshell, ski jacket or even a down jacket, we have all seen how great it is to see water simply pearl and run off the jacket, which lets us withstand adverse weather conditions. Nevertheless, this layer of protection needs to be looked after on a regular basis. Jackets lose their breathability and ability to repel water over time as a result of dirt, sweat and washing. Consequently, you should waterproof your rain jacket and softshell on a regular basis. As a rule of thumb, it is time to waterproof your items after three to four washes.

An extra tip: if you are unsure whether your jacket needs to be waterproofed again, carry out the following test. Hold your jacket briefly under a jet of water. If water simply runs off the jacket, it still provides sufficient protection. If the material soaks up the water, then you know it’s time to waterproof it again.

Step by step: how to waterproof your jacket correctly

You can quite simply ensure that your jacket is weatherproof once again in the comfort of your own home with a wash-in waterproofing product. What do you need for this? A washing machine, a waterproofing product and heat.

Step 1: Put the contents of the waterproofing product into the detergent drawer. Put the item of clothing (e.g. rain jacket) that is to be waterproofed into the washing machine. Set the machine programme to wash and rinse (temperature, where possible, at least 30 degrees). Check the clothing item’s care label beforehand.
Step 2: The waterproofing is activated by heat, so this is the next step in the process. That is the reason why the rain jacket or softshell needs to go into the tumble dryer after the wash cycle. If you don’t have a tumble dryer, you can activate the waterproofing by either ironing the item of clothing or blow-drying it using a hairdryer. Once again, please remember: check the care label beforehand.

Alternatives: waterproofing spray for your jacket

If you prefer not to wash your jacket before you set off on your next trip, simply use a spray to waterproof your jacket. A waterproofing spray is perfect for ski jackets and down jackets that have an insulating layer. Benefit of this waterproofing method: you can pinpoint and treat areas that are very soiled.

How to waterproof an item using a spray:

• Place the jacket on an even surface or put on a coat hanger
• Waterproof the item using a spray from a short distance (please refer to the manufacturer’s instructions on whether to spray onto a dry or damp surface)
• Leave the item for a few minutes so that the waterproofing process begins to work
• Remove the excess from the jacket’s surface
• Activate the waterproofing of the jacket by applying heat. This can be done either in a tumble dryer, with an iron or hairdryer – depending on the instructions on the clothing label.

If you haven’t yet bought your waterproofing product, take a look at our care products.